All We Have Left

Chapter Nine: We'll Get Through This

    Henry hung up, quickly grabbing his things and heading out to the car. He wasted no time locating the address, and sped off.

    Helpy gave William one last glare, before running his way over to Michael and jumping up on his lap. He hugged Michael, playing the usual soft tune that Michael seemed to like. Helpy felt awful, he was sad that he wasn't able to help his best friend. But he pushed on, not releasing his grip and continuing to play music.

    Michael tensed in surprise, then relaxed only a little, still crying. He tried to focus on the music Helpy played, but his mind kept drifting to the pain throbbing in his hand, which was still stuck to the arm of the chair by the knife.

    Helpy nuzzled into Mike, the music playing a little louder in hopes of getting Michael's mind to focus more on him rather than his hand.

    Henry finally pulled up into the driveway of the mysterious house, not even surprised by where it was. Getting out, he walked up to the front door and knocked loudly on it, a sneer etched into his face.

    Michael's head snapped up at the sound. "Dad!" he called, just barely getting the word out through his gasps and sobs. "I-is that you?"

    Henry opened the door, surprised that it was unlocked. "Michael! Michael it's me! I'm here." Henry walked through the room, following where Michael's voice had come from. He opened another to see Michael in a mostly empty room, and he sighed in relief as he rushed over to Michael. "I'm here, dad's here. It'll be okay, you're..you're safe now."

    Michael kept sobbing, bowing forward and resting his head against Henry's shoulder, being unable to do much else due to being tied up. "I-I hate him...I...I hate him."

    Henry nodded, resting his head on Michael's hair. He hugged him, rubbing up and down his back with one hand as he used the other to begin untying him. "I know Michael, I know. I hate him too." He got the hand without the knife in it unbound, and he glanced at the other. He felt bile rise into his throat looking at it, so he brought his attention to Michael's waist and ankles. "I'm getting you out of here, don't worry."

    Michael choked on his breaths, nodding. "I...I can't believe he hurt me again. H-how does he keep doing it? Why...why do I have to be so stupid, and...and weak?!"

    Henry got Michael's torso done, shaking his head. "Don't ever say that again, Michael. You are so brave, and smart." Tears began to fall from Henry's face. "You have no idea how strong you are for being able to get through this. That idiot just isn't able to see it." He got Michael's right ankle undone. "Whatever he said to you before and after he called me, don't believe it. Don't believe a single word William utters to you."

    Michael clamped his eyes shut. "I-it's hard, it's so hard. He...he's always hated me, hasn't he? I-I wanted him to praise me and...and be there for me, but he never was and every word and slap and disappointed look hurt so much, and now it's so much worse. He can still hurt me, h-he still hates me. Why can't he just leave me alone?!"

    "I don't know, baby. I don't know." Henry had finally gotten the last of the bounds undone, and he eyed Michael's hand. He brought up his own and began to stroke Michael's hair."I wish I could take it all away. Away from him, away from the pain and awful memories." ~He began to cry with Mike, as he slowly undid the last rope.